Clean Your Toothbrushes Naturally

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/clean-toothbrushes-naturally.html

posted by Annie B. Bond Sep 15, 2004 4:43 am

filed under: Healthy Home, Household Hints, Natural Remedies

4 comments

By Annie B. Bond

Toothbrushes can be breeding grounds for germs. In fact, many people advocate throwing away and replacing toothbrushes every month. But that can get expensive, not to mention wasteful: Who needs landfills bristling with used toothbrushes?

So here are two simple methods for cleaning your toothbrushes, so you can get more mileage out of them and stay healthier in the process! Read the simple directions here:

1. Let your toothbrush sit for 24 hours after it has dried out. This means every family member needs to have three toothbrushes that are rotated, since most of us brush morning and night and the brushes never really have a chance to dry out.

2. Soak your toothbrushes in straight household vinegar every two weeks. Vinegar kills most molds, germs, and bacteria.

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Linda S. says
Jan 1, 2009 10:08 AM

Soaking toothbrushes in hot salt water also helps.

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Emily H. says
Dec 10, 2008 11:41 AM

I'm assuming the answer to Melissa's question about how long to soak is 24hrs... just a wild guess. And I don't think it extends the life of your toothbrush, it just keeps it clean and healthier. I think you would still change it when the bristles got too worn (or the blue stripe fades to white).

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Brenda M. says
Dec 8, 2008 11:21 AM

No, actually a better method is to use Hydrogen Peroxide. Put 3% in a spray bottle, spray the brush and rinse it out. It kills germs on contact and is even good used as a rinse in your mouth...better than mouthwash in fact.

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Melissa Meece says
Sep 17, 2008 5:54 PM

This was a strange article as it seemed to end out of nowhere, with just #1 let it dry out and #2 - soak in vinegar. How long should we soak it? How much more use does this give you out of your toothbrush? Weeks? Months?

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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